Oprah at The Cable Show. Photo By INTX: The Internet & Television Expo –

Top 10 Most Famous People with Anxiety Disorders


 

Social anxiety is an illness one would typically not expect a celebrity to have, right? It is one of the anxiety disorders alongside panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder.  

The majority of celebrities who suffer from these mental illnesses have had it since childhood. Their life in the spotlight however made the conditions worse.

These famous people with anxiety disorder would surprise you just because of how well they handle their mental condition in the public eye.

1. Oprah Winfrey 鈥 Television Personality

When you hear Oprah, you think of success, influence, wealth, and of course the famous 鈥榊ou get a car! And you get a car!鈥 phrase. Being one of the most influential women in the world, Oprah wasn鈥檛 shy to open up about her struggle with anxiety.

In a 1986 episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show, Winfrey spoke about being sexually abused by two of her family members and one friend. She was also a victim of domestic violence. Both incidents contributed to her anxiety disorder.

Oprah鈥檚 openness about her struggles with mental health was aimed at helping women who go through similar illnesses. In her book What Happened to You? (2021), she dives into childhood trauma and the mental impact it has on adulthood. The book鈥檚 objective was to guide those suffering from anxiety disorders find the root causes of their illness.

Learn amazing facts about the powerhouse that is Oprah Winfrey here

2. Prince Harry 鈥 Duke of Sussex

Prince Harry. Photo By Defensie –

In his memoir Spare (2023), The Duke of Sussex brought to light his struggle with anxiety. 鈥業 was an agoraphobe鈥 he wrote. Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder whereby the subject avoids situations and places that might cause or bring feelings of panic or embarrassment.

Prince Harry had been suffering multiple panic attacks since 2013 and this played a role in his royal duties as the Duke. He was once on the verge of passing out during a speech due to his ill mental state.

Harry, in the tell-all memoir, shared his experience as Royalty and the mental distress that came about. He called it a nightmare time in his life. Fortunately, he got into mental treatment which was of great help in handling his disorder.

3. Selena Gomez – Singer

Selena Gomez. Photo By Anthony Quintano –

Selena Gomez is a singer, songwriter, and the most followed female celebrity (382 million followers) on Instagram. Gomez, who has been open about her struggle with mental illness, mentioned the said social media platform and rise to fame as some of her mental illness triggers.  

Gomez had been struggling with anxiety and depression, since 2014. She came out publicly 9 years ago after canceling her shows due to reoccurring panic attacks and depression. In 2018, she was admitted to a psychiatric hospital after a psychotic episode.

In 2020, Selena was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She later released her documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022). In the series, she gets candid about the dark side of fame and its contribution to her illnesses.

Read about Selena Gomez on the Discover Walk Columnist

4. Ryan Reynolds 鈥 Actor

 

Deadpool 2 Japan Premiere Red Carpet Ryan Reynolds. Photo By Dick Thomas Johnson –

If you are a fan of blockbuster movies, then you probably have seen Ryan Reynolds on your screen. Reynolds is an outstanding actor starring in hit movies such as Deadpool, The Proposal, and Criminal.

In May 2021, Reynolds spoke out publicly about his struggle with mental health. The 45-year-old mentioned having anxiety majority of his life and adopted it as part of his personality.

For Ryan, exercising every day keeps his mental health in check. He also credits the disorder for fueling his acting skills while on set.

5. Adele 鈥 Musician

Adele in 2021. Photo By Cond茅 Nast (through Vogue Taiwan) –

Adele rose to stardom after her hit single Hello. The singer has received multiple music awards in both U.S and Europe. Her personal life has however not been a smooth sail.

In 2019, Adele and Simon Konecki announced their divorce after one year of marriage. When the two decide to part ways, Adele suffered severe anxiety and panic attacks. In an interview with Oprah, the singer attributed her obsession with having a nuclear family as the main trigger of her attacks.

In addition, the mother of one admitted to similar attacks right before stage performance in fear that she would underdeliver. She shared that therapy, sound baths, meditation, and working out aided in controlling her anxiety.

6. Missy Elliot 鈥 Singer/Rapper

Missy Elliot in 2015. Photo By Atlantic Records –

In 2015, Missy Elliot came out publicly about her anxiety disorder while speaking to Billboard magazine. She admitted to having a severe panic attack before her NFL Super Bowl cameo performance.  Missy Elliot, who performed at the event alongside Katy Perry, suffered mild anxiety right before getting on stage.

Aside from big stages, Missy Elliot also suffers anxiety in smaller spaces such as nightclubs and recording studios. The legendary musician is not only a 90s hits singer but also an iconic fashion trendsetter. She is popularly known for her international bangers, Get Your Freak On and Work It, and intriguing music videos.

7. Johnny Depp 鈥 Actor

Actor Johnny Depp at the Berlinale 2020. Photo By Harald Krichel –

Johnny Depp, also known as Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean, is no newbie to mental illness. The actor, who has suffered anxiety majority of his lifetime, claimed that his rise to fame was among his many mental triggers.

Depp admitted to being extremely nervous, sometimes in a nearly panicky mood, during interviews and on set. He also talked about using substances such as alcohol to help in regulating the illness, but he ultimately sought therapy.

Though he hasn鈥檛 completely gotten over the disorder, Johnny says meditation has been a huge part of controlling it. He also always has a therapist around while shooting to aid in grounding and reducing his anxiety episodes.

Looking to watch some of Johnny Depp’s films? Find a list of his top four must-watch Mob movies here

8. Emma Stone – Actress

Emma Stone speaking at the 2012 WonderCon in Anaheim, California. Photo By Gage Skidmore –

Emma Stone鈥檚 struggle with anxiety began at the age of seven. The award-winning actress narrated how her first panic attack had her convinced that her friend鈥檚 house was on fire when it really wasn鈥檛.

After a couple of episodes, Emma鈥檚 mother took her for a medical evaluation. She was diagnosed with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Emma continued to battle with the illness through her teenage years and into adulthood.

Stone credits her theatre gigs and acting for bettering her mental illness. In an interview with FHE Health, she said channeling the intense feelings brought more life into the characters that she played.

Today, Emma controls her anxiety by meditation, going to therapy, avoiding social media, and being in the company of her loved ones.

9.  David Beckham 鈥 Footballer

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham. Photo By Soccer Aid for Unicef –

Besides being a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, David Beckham is one of the most successful and recognizable English footballers in the world. The global icon opened up about his general anxiety disorder and OCD in his autobiography Both feet On The Ground (2003).

Beckman鈥檚 struggle with mental health began in the late 1990s. For the former footballer, his OCD played a role in his interaction with the sport, family, and social life. His wife, Victoria Beckham, even shared how her husband had an obsession with pairing and coordinating items in their household.

David sought therapy and has since then become better. He also mentioned exercising, his children, and the role they play in his life as having a major impact in managing the disorder.

10. Summer Walker 鈥 Musician

Summer Walker performing in Toronto, November 2019. Photo By Meet The Blacks –

Summer Walker is an RnB singer and songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia. She gained popularity after her hit single Girls Need Love and its remix version with rapper Drake.

Summer,26, often spoke of her struggle with social anxiety in interviews and on social media platforms. In 2019, she canceled 20 out of 29 shows to safeguard her mental health. The singer also took to her Instagram page to express how the condition made her turn down tons of opportunities.  

Walker has been spotted with a stuffed animal, a form of emotional support, in some of her performances.

 

Other celebrities who suffer from anxiety disorders include Kim Kardashian, Justine Timberlake, Jessica Alba, Camila Cabello, Taylor Swift, and Whoopi Goldberg. 

See another list of more famous people with mental health issues here. 

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